Govt Plans Safety Standards for E-Rickshaws

09 Sep 2025 CW Team

The Indian government is considering implementing safety standards for e-rickshaws in line with the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) to enhance road safety across the country, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Thursday.

Speaking at the 7th Edition of the FICCI Road Safety Awards and Symposium, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways emphasised that road safety remains a critical priority. He noted that India records nearly five lakh road accidents annually, resulting in approximately 180,000 fatalities.

"Of the 1.8 lakh deaths reported each year, nearly 66.4 per cent are individuals aged between 18 and 45," said Gadkari, highlighting the urgent need for better safety awareness, adherence to traffic regulations, and timely medical support for accident victims.

The introduction of e-rickshaw safety standards under a Bharat NCAP-like framework would mark a significant step in formalising safety norms for the burgeoning segment of urban and semi-urban transport. Gadkari's comments underscore the Centre's broader commitment to reducing road fatalities and improving vehicle safety benchmarks across all categories.

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